Port Orleans Riverside Review: Is It Worth It for Families?
In this Port Orleans Riverside review, I’m sharing everything about our family’s stay, plus everything you need to know before you book. Honestly, this is one of my favorite resorts on Walt Disney World property. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside gives you the peaceful, relaxing feel of a deluxe resort with a moderate price tag, and that combination is hard to beat.
We stayed here as a family of four with two teens in January 2026, in a newly refurbished room in the Magnolia Bend section. Below, I’ll walk you through the two resort sections, the rooms, tips for choosing where to stay, the pools, dining, transportation, and whether I think Port Orleans Riverside is worth it for your family.
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Port Orleans Riverside at a Glance
- Resort category: Moderate
- Location: Disney Springs Resort Area, along the Sassagoula River
- Size: 2,048 rooms across two sections, Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou
- Room capacity: Up to 4 guests in most rooms, and up to 5 in select Alligator Bayou rooms with a child-size, fold-down bed
- Dining: Riverside Mill Food Court, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, River Roost Lounge, and Muddy Rivers pool bar
- Pools: Ol’ Man Island feature pool with a waterslide, plus five quiet pools
- Transportation: Buses to the theme parks and water parks, and a boat to Disney Springs
- Sister resort: Port Orleans French Quarter, an easy walk along the river
Our Stay at Port Orleans Riverside
We visited in January 2026 with our two teenage daughters, and our room was in a freshly refurbished building in Magnolia Bend. I’ll be honest about one thing right away: it was super cold during our trip… cold enough that they were covering plants and water features started to freeze. We weren’t able to take advantage of the pools at all, which was a bummer, because they looked amazing. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you’ll get even more out of this resort than we did.
What stood out the most to us was the atmosphere. Port Orleans Riverside is quiet and peaceful, especially compared to the noise and crowds of the parks. Coming back to the resort at the end of the day truly felt like a break. The grounds are beautiful, the river setting is so relaxing, and our room was quiet every night. That calm, deluxe-like feeling is exactly why this resort has become one of my favorites.
Port Orleans Riverside Resort Sections
Port Orleans Riverside is split into two very different sections, and which one you stay in will shape your experience. Both are themed to the Old South along the Sassagoula River, but they look and feel completely different.
Magnolia Bend
Magnolia Bend is the more elegant side of the resort, with grand, white-columned mansions surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens. There are four mansions, Acadian House, Magnolia Terrace, Oak Manor, and Parterre Place, and each is three stories tall with elevators. That makes Magnolia Bend a great choice if anyone in your group needs to avoid stairs or if you’re traveling with a stroller.
This is where we stayed, and we loved it. It has a beautiful, stately feel that adds to that deluxe resort vibe. All of the Magnolia Bend buildings have now been refurbished, and the rooms feel fresh and modern.
Alligator Bayou
Alligator Bayou has a rustic, backwoods feel, with smaller two-story lodges tucked among trees along winding paths. It feels cozier and more woodsy than Magnolia Bend. There are 16 lodges, and they do not have elevators, so if you’re on the second floor, you’ll be taking the stairs.
The big draw of Alligator Bayou is that it’s home to the rooms that sleep five. If your family needs that fifth bed, this is the section you’ll be booking. (It is worth noting that the 5th sleeper is more for a child, not an adult.) Keep in mind that Alligator Bayou is scheduled for its own room refurbishment beginning in late summer 2026 and lasting about a year, so you may notice some construction depending on when you visit.
Port Orleans Riverside Rooms
Standard rooms at Port Orleans Riverside are about 314 square feet, with two queen beds in most rooms. King bed rooms are also available in limited numbers.
Our room was rather large for a moderate resort, and there was plenty of space for the four of us to move around. With two teens, that matters! Nobody felt like they were climbing over each other, which made a big difference over a multi-day stay.
The newly refurbished Magnolia Bend rooms have a much more modern look, including hard flooring, a large wall-mounted TV with drawers underneath, plenty of USB outlets, a small beverage cooler, and a vanity area with two sinks that can be closed off with a sliding door. That double vanity is a lifesaver when everyone is getting ready at the same time in the morning. Some upper-floor rooms now have walk-in showers instead of a tub, so if your family needs a bathtub, it’s worth adding that as a request.
Rooms That Sleep Five
Some rooms in Alligator Bayou include a fold-down Murphy bed that lets the room sleep up to five people. We didn’t need it, but it’s a definite plus for families of five, since many Disney World moderate and value rooms max out at four.
The Murphy bed is on the smaller side, so it’s best for younger kids rather than teens or adults. If you have a family of five with a taller teen, take that into account before you book.
Royal Guest Rooms
Port Orleans Riverside also offers Royal Guest Rooms, which have historically featured special Princess Tiana-inspired decor. These rooms are now located only in Parterre Place in Magnolia Bend. Parterre Place was refurbished in early 2026, and the updated Royal Guest Rooms are reported to look much closer to the regular Magnolia Bend rooms than they used to. Since they come with a higher price tag, check current photos before you pay extra for this room type.
Tips for Choosing a Room at Port Orleans Riverside
- Pick your section based on your family’s needs. Choose Magnolia Bend if you want elevators and a more elegant look. Choose Alligator Bayou if you need a room for five or prefer a cozy, woodsy setting.
- Consider location carefully. This resort is really spread out. Preferred Location rooms are closer to the main building, the food court, and Ol’ Man Island, which can save a lot of walking. Rooms at the far end of Alligator Bayou can feel quite remote.
- Views are requests, not guarantees. Disney no longer sells view-based room categories here, so a river or garden view can only be requested.
- Make your requests through the app. You can send room requests through the chat feature in the My Disney Experience app before you arrive. Requests aren’t guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask.
- Request a ground floor in Alligator Bayou if stairs are an issue. With no elevators in the lodges, this is important for strollers, luggage, or anyone with mobility needs.
- Ask for a tub if you need one. Some refurbished rooms in Magnolia Bend now have walk-in showers, which can be tricky for bathing little ones.
Pools and Recreation
The main pool, Ol’ Man Island, sits on its own island in the middle of the resort and is themed like an old sawmill, complete with a waterslide. There’s also a hot tub, the Muddy Rivers pool bar, a fishing hole, and a play area nearby. On top of that, the resort has five quiet pools spread throughout both sections, so you’re never too far from a place to swim.
Even though it was too cold for us to swim in January, the pools looked amazing, and Ol’ Man Island is one of the best-themed pool areas at any Disney World moderate resort. If you’re visiting in the summer, I’d plan some pool time into your trip.
Beyond the pools, Port Orleans Riverside offers a nice mix of activities, including bike and surrey bike rentals, an arcade, a jogging path along the river, an evening campfire, and Movies Under the Stars on select nights. Check the resort’s recreation schedule in the app when you arrive for the most current times.
Dining at Port Orleans Riverside
The dining at Port Orleans Riverside was easy and convenient, which is exactly what you want from your resort.
Riverside Mill Food Court
Riverside Mill is the resort’s quick-service food court, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It offers mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app, which was super convenient for us, especially in the mornings. We ate Mickey waffles there every single morning of our stay! Mobile ordering made it so easy to grab breakfast and get on our way to the parks. You can read more about how it works in my guide to Disney World mobile ordering.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
Boatwright’s is the resort’s only table service restaurant, serving dinner with a menu of Southern and Cajun-inspired dishes. If you’d like a sit-down meal without leaving the resort, it’s a nice option to have, and advance reservations are recommended.
River Roost Lounge and Muddy Rivers
River Roost is the resort’s lounge, with drinks, appetizers, and live entertainment on select evenings. Muddy Rivers is the pool bar on Ol’ Man Island, perfect for a drink or snack in between swims.
Beignets at French Quarter
One of my favorite little perks of staying here? Beignets are just a short walk away at Port Orleans French Quarter! Its food court, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, is famous for its Mickey-shaped beignets. The walk along the river is lovely, too, and it makes for a fun outing in the evening or on a slower morning.
Transportation
Port Orleans Riverside uses buses to get to all four theme parks and both water parks. Because the resort is so spread out, there’s an internal bus system with multiple stops throughout the resort, so you’ll usually have a stop fairly close to your room.
The one downside is that some stops are near the end of the line. By the time the bus gets to you, it can be fairly full, especially in the morning when everyone is heading to the parks. If you’re staying near one of the later stops, give yourself a little extra time, or walk to an earlier stop if you can.
To get to Disney Springs, you can hop on the boat from the resort’s dock. It’s a relaxing ride down the Sassagoula River with a stop at French Quarter along the way, and it’s honestly part of the fun. You’ll find more details on getting around in my Disney World transportation guide.
Port Orleans Riverside Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Peaceful, quiet atmosphere that feels like a deluxe resort
- Moderate resort pricing, and Disney often includes it in room discounts
- Spacious rooms, with newly refurbished rooms in Magnolia Bend
- Rooms that sleep five in Alligator Bayou
- Ol’ Man Island is one of the best moderate resort pools
- Mobile ordering at the food court for quick breakfasts
- Boat to Disney Springs and an easy walk to French Quarter beignets
Cons:
- The resort is very spread out, which can mean a lot of walking
- Buses only to the parks, with no Skyliner or monorail access
- Buses can be full by the time they reach the later stops
- No elevators in the Alligator Bayou lodges
- Possible refurbishment work in Alligator Bayou through 2027
Who Is Port Orleans Riverside Best For?
Port Orleans Riverside is a fantastic fit for families who want a relaxing home base without paying deluxe prices. It’s especially great for families of five, families with teens who need a bit more breathing room, and anyone who enjoys coming back to a calm, beautiful resort after a long park day.
It may not be the best choice if you want the quickest possible commute to a specific park or if long walks around the resort would be hard for your group. In that case, a closer resort or one with Skyliner or monorail access might suit you better.
Is Port Orleans Riverside Worth It?
For our family, absolutely. It’s one of my favorite resorts on Disney World property, and it’s the one I recommend most often to families who want something special without stretching their budget. You get the peaceful vibe of a deluxe with a moderate price tag, and Disney discounts this resort fairly often, which makes it an even better value.
If you’re comparing your options, be sure to check out my overview of the Disney World moderate resorts to see how Port Orleans Riverside stacks up against the others.
For the most current resort details, room types, and pricing, check the official Port Orleans Riverside page on the Walt Disney World website.
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